For 2002, Subaru sent its rally-inspired WRX to North America. Based on the Impreza, the WRX brought in a new era of compact performance cars thanks to its all-wheel drive capability and a turbocharged horizontally opposed engine.

Available in either sedan or wagon body styles, the WRX could be had with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

The 2002 WRX, dubbed the bugeye due to a pair of large headlights that resembled the eyes of an insect, came equipped with a 2.0-liter engine making 227 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque.